ELIZABETH “GAY” DOLEZAL | News, Sports, Jobs – Wheeling Intelligencer

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Otis and Katherine Waddle, her infant son Nicholas Edward Dolezal, and her brother, David Waddle.

She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Alan Dolezal of Tallmadge, sister Rebecca Herzog of Erlanger, KY., daughters Ashley (Joseph) Caruso of Fairlawn, Ohio, Madeleine ”Maddy” Dolezal of Akron, Ohio, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Gay was a 1979 graduate of Ludlow (Kentucky) High School and had been employed by the Cincinnati/ Northern KY. Credit Bureau and the Akron Credit Bureau following her marriage to Alan and his subsequent relocation to Northeastern Ohio.

Her passing is the culmination of a heroic, intrepid, seven-year battle against cancer in which Gay faced all obstacles in her path with unbridled determination, faith, perseverance, and optimism while never losing her poise, grace, and love of life; she looked at each new day as both a gift and an adventure, regardless of circumstances. On her long journey’s path she motivated, inspired, and comforted dozens of other cancer patients, both by her actions and her words. While cancer may have been the instrument of her demise, she refused to ever become a cancer ”victim”.

Gay’s love of family and friends, sunrises and sunsets, laughter and music, and of nature and animals (including her koi pond and its aquatic inhabitants), knew no limits. She concluded her all too short existence in this world by leaving an indelible imprint of love and compassion on all she encountered, and she will be missed by many until their reunion in a place of eternal joy and rapture.

A memorial service / celebration of life will be held for Gay in January in or near her hometown of Ludlow, KY. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in the name of Elizabeth Gay Dolezal.